US6252977B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for illuminating and imaging eyes through eyeglasses using multiple sources of illumination
Assignee: Sensar Inc
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Filing: 2000-04-17
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Granted: 2001-06-26
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Expires: 2020-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A reliable method of illuminating and imaging an eye through eyeglasses uses a carefully selected subset of multiple monochromatic light sources, a camera with an imager that exhibits minimal blooming, and a narrow-bandwidth optical bandpass filter to filter out most of the ambient illumination while passing most of the light from the system's own illuminator.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcus Salganicoff
- 👤 Keith James Hanna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 00:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/18; G06V40/19; A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/14; A61B3/15; A61B3/156; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12; G06V10/14; G06V10/141; G06V10/143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for imaging an area of an object positioned behind a light transmissive structure using illuminators which produce specular reflections on the light transmissive structure wherein at least an approximate diameter of the area to be imaged is known comprising: a. providing first and second illuminators positioned a distance apart from one another which is not less than the known at least approximate diameter such that a distance between the specular reflections on the transmissive structure due to each illuminator are not less than the at least an approximate diameter of the area on the object to be imaged; b. illuminating the area with the first illuminator; c. obtaining a first image of the area while the first illuminator is on; d. illuminating the area with the second illuminator; e. obtaining a second image of the area while the second illuminator is on; f. checking at least one of the first image and the second image to see if a specular reflection has obscured the area; and g. selecting one of the first image and the second image to have a selected image in which a specular reflection does not obscure the area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for imaging an area of an object positioned behind a light transmissive structure using illuminators which produce specular reflections on the light transmissive structure wherein at least an approximate diameter of the area to be imaged is known comprising: a. providing first and second illuminators positioned a distance apart from one another which is not less than the known at least approximate diameter such that a distance between the specular reflections on the transmissive structure due to each illuminator are not less than the at least an approximate diameter of the area on the object to be imaged; b. illuminating the area with the first illuminator; c. obtaining a first image of the area while the first illuminator is on; d. illuminating the area with the second illuminator; e. obtaining a second image of the area while the second illuminator is on; f. checking at least one of the first image and the second image to see if a specular reflection has obscured the area; and g. selecting one of the first image and the second image to have a selected image in which a specular reflection does not obscure the area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the illuminators produce light that is visible to a human eye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the illuminators produce light that is invisible to a human eye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the illuminators produce infrared light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the object is an eye, the area is an iris and the light transmissive structure is eyeglasses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image is obtained using a camera having a nonblooming imager.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the imager is a CMOS device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 also comprising the step of filtering light after that light has been reflected from the object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the filtering removes light produced by ambient illumination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the illuminators produce monochromatic light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the illuminators produce light having wavelengths between 700 and 800 nanometers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the light transmissive structure is a product package.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the product package is a glass jar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the product package is a blister package and the light transmissive structure is a blister.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 where in the illuminators produce light having wavelenghts below 750 nanometers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first illimunator is spaced 25 to 35 centimeters from the second illuminator.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for imaging an area of an object positioned behind a light transmissive structure using illuminators which produce specular reflections on the light transmissive object wherein at least an approximate diameter of the area to be imaged is known comprising: a. providing first and second illuminators positioned a distance apart from one another which is not less than the known at least approximate diameter, such that a.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for imaging an area of an object positioned behind a light transmissive structure using illuminators which produce specular reflections on the light transmissive object wherein at least an approximate diameter of the area to be imaged is known comprising: a. providing first and second illuminators positioned a distance apart from one another which is not less than the known at least approximate diameter, such that a.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-25 | 2004-12-25 | 2005-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-25 | 2008-12-25 | 2009-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-25 | 2012-12-25 | 2013-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |